Obit: Jack Arnold

Obit: Jack Arnold

January 22nd, 2013 in Obituaries

Location: Hamilton county

Sr.Jack Brown Arnold Sr., 83, passed on to be with the Lord at his home on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, after a six-month battle with cancer. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose charm left a lasting impression on all who knew him.Jack was born on Feb. 1, 1929 in Soddy-Daisy to the late Birch and Ruth Arnold. His family moved to Dayton three days after he was born and planted the seeds of their family tree on the community. Faith was important in the Arnold home and Jack became the 22nd member of the First United Methodist Church in Dayton on April 12, 1942 where he attended faithfully until his recent illness. Jack graduated from Rhea Central High School in 1947 and was a proud member of the football team. He later went on to serve his country in both the U. S. Army and Nation Guard. Upon his return from military service Jack started a 39-year career serving the city of Dayton. He served as a fireman and police officer then in 1972 was promoted to Fire Chief, a position he held until his retirement in 2008.Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Birch and Ruth Arnold; his loving wife of 55 years, Joanne Arnold; four sisters, Gay Welch, Rita Hommel, Margaret Ellen Harwood and Dean Gamble.Survivors include four children, Kathy (Tommy) Ballard, Birch (Pat) Arnold, Jack (Helen) Arnold II and Lisa (Paul) Riggs; sisters, Marilyn Rowden; and brother, George (Becky) Arnold; 12 grandchildren, Brian (Carol) Ballard, Jeremy (Kristi) Renner, Haley (Robert) Osenbaugh, Caine (Joey) Ballard, Justin (Holly) Arnold, Jake Arnold, Kelly (Philipp) Brown, Jared (Laine) Arnold, Matt (Stephanie) Riggs, Heather (Chris) Sneed, Amber (Andy) Tucker, Lisa (Alex) Vanderwall; 22 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his devoted companion, Mary Lou Wilkey, and favorite fishing partners and faithful friends, Ronnie and Glenna Roe.The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church in Dayton on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. A memorial service will immediately follow at 5 p.m. in the church sanctuary with the Rev. Ken Pierce and Brother Danny Ruehling officiating.In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 12, Dayton, TN 37321.